South Island

I'm in the South Island of NZ now, planning to around the whole island in the next 4 weeks. It should be really amazing: glaciers, mountains, beaches, fjordland, lakes, etc. I'm planning on bungy-jumping the highest jump in NZ (I think its around 130 m) so we'll see how that goes. Here are some photos of my trip so far:

I: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2121259&l=ecc10&id=6100829

II: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2121260&l=f388d&id=6100829

III: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2121931&l=5abed&id=6100829

IV: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2122665&l=225dc&id=6100829

V: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2122666&l=67f65&id=6100829

Happy New Years everyone!!!

I <3 New Zealand!!!!

Hi Everyone!

I made it safe and sound to NZ and am making my way down from Auckland to Wellington in a campervan with 3 of my Peace Corps friends (McKenzie, Lizzie, and Jackie). Auckland was AMAZING, but apparently nobody spends any time there because the rest of NZ is so beautiful. So we left after 1 night of re-adjusting to normal society.

Our first stop was a bar for some REAL BEER, and it was awesome. Then we were off on our campervan adventure! We drove along the coast and saw some gorgeous beaches (much like the beaches in Vanuatu, so we didn't stop) then into central NZ for hot springs and geysers.
Tomorrow we are headed further south to do some hiking and soak in some hot thermal lakes (its summer here, but still FREEZING!) More updates to come!

Love, Laura

Back in civilization...

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the long delay. I just came back into Port Vila for the first time in 4 months. All is well here in Vanuatu! So much has been going on in Malekula.

We had our week-long Kamp G.L.O.W. and it was a huge success! (Thanks to all the WONDERFUL donations we received.) The girls had a blast, especially the six of us who ran the camp- myself and 5 amazing friends who came to help out. You can check out some photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2120307&l=277e8&id=6100829

We've had 2 new PCVs join us on Malekula, including one in the NW, close to me. Next year, hopefully, it will be easier to do projects and activities, now that I have a neighbor to work with. The other PCV is based in the Education office in Lakatoro, which will help in my work with schools and teachers.

McKenzie and I are planning on doing another Kamp G.L.O.W. in her village, only this would be only for 3 days instead of 5. Other exciting plans for next year include Adolescent Reproductive Health workshops, helping out with Kamp G.L.O.W.s on other islands (Efate, Ambae, and Tongoa), and trying to find books/computers/shelves for our school library. The second year is going to fly by. Everyone in my village is already talking about how sad they are that I'm leaving so soon and how much they will miss me when I'm gone! I try not to think about it, since it will be hard to leave.

Tomorrow I leave for Auckland, New Zealand- I will be travelling around (mostly the South island) for 6 weeks! I will have internet access pretty regularly there, at hostels and internet cafes, so email me at: laura.klatka@gmail.com

I will be sure to post updates with links to pictures!

Love,
Laura

More photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2120311&l=034a5&id=6100829

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2120316&l=a9fce&id=6100829

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!!!